Improving Trade and Logistics in Cambodia

Cambodia’s ranking rose 46 places in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index between 2010 and 2014. The World Bank supported Trade Related Assistance in Cambodia (TRAC) program contributed to better logistics, making it easier for exporters to integrate into regional production networks. Customs clearance fell from 5.9 days to 1.4 days over the same time period. These were a result of TRAC-supported customs and border reforms, regulatory reform, and streamlined import and export procedures.

Challenges

Cambodia sits in a dynamic region (sandwiched between the economies of Thailand and Vietnam) and its best hope for improving livelihoods is to integrate further into the dynamic ASEAN region. Weak logistics have long impeded Cambodia’s progress in realizing its trade potential, however, because its export costs are about 33% higher than Thailand and 30% higher than Vietnam. Cambodia’s farmers and manufacturers encounter difficulties in moving goods to markets; exporters face challenges in supplying overseas customers and integration into regional production networks remains challenging.

Solution

The TRAC program, which is managed by the World Bank and supported by a multi donor trust fund, has focused on customs and border reform to establish linkages with its ASEAN trading partners. The World Bank is helping establish a ‘National Single Window’, an automated solution combining different border agencies into one electronic platform for use by traders and businesses.

To streamline the export process, the World Bank has worked with the Royal Government of Cambodia to identify and categorize over 120 laws, royal decrees, sub-decrees, and regulations containing formal non-tariff measures, including import/export related permits, licenses and approvals.

TRAC is a program, consisting of 25 sub-components, many of which focus on specific interventions to facilitate trade, such as solutions for truck quotas at border crossings. With enhanced competition in the trucking industry, transport prices have begun falling, encouraging exports and leading to new investment.

Procedures are being streamlined to boost processed rice exports. The World Bank is also helping the fishery industry establish cooperatives that will help to increase the formal exports of these products.

" The clearance of goods is much faster now. If we compare it to early 2013, it took one week or fifteen days to clear our goods. These days, it just takes three or four days. This improvement is helping my company reduce recurrent cost. I believe this is one of the things that empowers us to compete with ASEAN and global markets. "

Lim Bun Heng

Director of LORAN Imported-Export Co., Ltd.

Results

Cambodia’s progress in reforming and modernizing its import, export and transit operations has contributed to the following outcomes:

Procedures for issuing and applying Certificates of Origin (COs) have been abolished where unnecessary and, when needed, simplified through an automated system.

An automated customs solution has been rolled out in 21 border checkpoints

The duration of customs clearance fell from 5.9 days (2010) to 1.4 days (2014).

The duration of physical inspection fell from 29% (2010) to 17% (2014).

The Ministry of Commerce’s capacity to define and implement policy priorities has strongly improved. This is reflected in the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study, which is being reviewed as a template to be used by several developing countries.

Staff at the gamma ray scanner center in Sihanoukville Port are looking into container vans for contraband items.

Photo credti: Chhor Sokunthea / World Bank

Bank Group Contribution

The World Bank is providing technical expertise and equipment to facilitate the establishment of Cambodia’s National Single Window (NSW) by 2015.

Partners

TRAC is a multi-donor trust fund currently valued at $22 million. Financing was provided by the European Union, Danish International Development Agency, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

Most TRAC activities are owned and directly implemented by the government. A portion of the money is allocated to the World Bank to directly support project implementation, analytical work, and to provide strategic guidance.

Moving Forward

The National Single Window will have the capacity to link to the Ministry of Commerce, allowing traders to conduct all their import, export and transit regulatory requirements through a single gateway. TRAC developed a blueprint and business case for implementation system across all line ministries and agencies.

1.4 days

duration of customs clearance which was decreased from 5.9 days since 2010